Cooper Foundation Awards Grant to Nonprofit Program

Oct. 23, 1998

The Cooper Foundation has awarded $22,910 to Baylor University's new certificate program in nonprofit management. The program, which is sponsored by the university's division of continuing education, offers management information classes to directors of nonprofit organizations in the Central Texas area. Currently, 48 people from agencies in Bell, Hill and McLennan counties are enrolled in the program.

Participants are required to enroll in three core courses dealing with financial management, leadership principles and program evaluation, and can choose to take a variety of elective classes on topics such as marketing, fund raising, board management and recruiting volunteers. Upon completion of 50 hours of course work, participants will receive a certificate.

"People who work for nonprofit agencies may not have the management skills that they need," said Annette Lindsey, director of continuing education. "Individuals who complete the nonprofit management program will be recognized as obtaining a body of knowledge that has credibility and immediate application in the field."

In addition to the Cooper Foundation grant, the Rapoport Foundation has provided funds for scholarships, and United Way is reimbursing representatives of its funded agencies who are attending the inaugural program.